If you’re looking for an affordable Windows machine under $500, a blazing fast gaming beast for those intense matches, or a portable 2-in-1 for school or work, you’ve got plenty of great choices right now. We’ve hunted deals from Amazon, Best Buy, and beyond–so you don’t have to.
Want to see even more? Take a peek at PCWorld’s list of the top laptops you can get right now.
Best budget laptop deals under $500
Lenovo
Our top pick: Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3, $499.99 ($250 off at Best Buy)
If you’re trying to stick to a budget but still want decent power, the IdeaPad Slim 3 is a strong pick under $500. It’s got a Ryzen 7 chip, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD, which is more than enough for stuff like emails, spreadsheets, and way too many tabs. The 15.6-inch screen looks good, and for the price, the build feels pretty solid too.
Amazon
- HP 14 Laptop, Intel Celeron N4020 processor/14-inch 1366×768 display/4GB RAM/64GB storage, $173.90 ($56.09 off at Amazon)
- Asus Vivobook Go, AMD Ryzen 5 7520U processor/15.6-inch 1920×1080 display/8GB RAM/512GB SSD, $409 ($20.99 off at Amazon)
- Dell Inspiron 14 5440, Intel Core i5-1334U processor/14-inch 1920×1200 display/8GB RAM/512GB SSD, $418 ($39.99 off at Amazon)
- Dell Inspiron 15 3535, AMD Ryzen 5 7520U processor/15.6-inch 1920×1080 display/8GB RAM/512GB SSD, $427.89 ($22.01 off at Amazon)
Best Buy
- Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook, Pentium Silver N6000 processor/15.6-inch 1920×1080 touchscreen display/8GB RAM/128GB eMMC, $319 ($130 off at Best Buy)
- Lenovo IdeaPad 1, AMD Ryzen 5 7520U processor/15.6-inch 1920×1080 display/8GB RAM/256GB SSD, $379.99 ($200 off at Best Buy)
- HP OmniBook 5 Flip 2-in-1, Intel Core 5 Series 1 120U processor/14-inch 1920×1200 touchscreen display/8GB RAM/512GB SSD, $399.99 ($300 off at Best Buy)
- Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3, AMD Ryzen 7 5825U processor/15.6-inch 1920×1080 display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $499.99 ($250 off at Best Buy)
Adorama
- HP Chromebook x360, Intel Celeron N5100 processor/11.6-inch 1366×768 touchscreen display/8GB RAM/64GB eMMC, $234.99 ($165 off at Adorama)
- Asus Vivobook 14, Intel Core i5-1334U processor/14-inch 1920×1080 display/12GB RAM/256GB SSD, $449.99 ($50 off at Adorama)
- Lenovo IdeaPad 5, Intel Core 5 120U processor/14-inch 1920×1200 touchscreen display/8GB RAM/512GB SSD, $499.99 ($50 off at Adorama)
Newegg
- Acer Aspire 3, AMD Ryzen 5 7430U processor/15.6-inch 1920×1080 display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $469.99 ($30 off at Newegg)
- Lenovo IdeaPad 5, Snapdragon X Plus processor/14-inch 1920×1200 touchscreen display/16GB RAM/1TB SSD, $485.99 ($114 off at Newegg)
Best mid-range laptop deals ($500-$900)
Samsung
Our top pick: Samsung Galaxy Book4, $749.99 ($150 off at Best Buy)
The Galaxy Book4 looks like a solid everyday laptop. It comes with an Intel Core 7, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD, which is plenty for browsing, streaming, and other day-to-day stuff. The 15.6-inch 1080p screen looks nice and sharp, and if you already use Galaxy devices, syncing between them should be pretty simple.
Amazon
- Acer Aspire 5 15, Intel Core i7-1355U processor/15.6-inch 1920×1080 touchscreen display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $639.30 ($60.69 off at Amazon)
- Samsung Galaxy Book4 (AI), Snapdragon X Plus processor/15.6-inch 1920×1080 display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $701 ($198.99 off at Amazon)
- Apple 2025 MacBook Air, M4 chip/13.6-inch 2560×1664 display/16GB RAM/256GB SSD, $799 ($200.99 off at Amazon)
Best Buy
- Asus Zenbook 14, Intel Core Ultra 5 Series 1 125H processor/14-inch 1920×1200 OLED touchscreen display/8GB RAM/512GB SSD, $639.99 ($160 off at Best Buy)
- Samsung Galaxy Book4 360, Intel Core 7 Series 1 150U processor/15.6-inch 1920×1080 AMOLED touchscreen display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $649.99 ($700 off at Best Buy)
- Apple MacBook Air, M2 chip/13-inch 2560×1664 display/16GB RAM/256GB SSD, $699 ($100 off at Best Buy)
Adorama
- Microsoft Surface Laptop Go, Intel Core i5-1235U processor/12.4-inch 1536×1024 touchscreen display/8GB RAM/128GB SSD, $749.99 ($150 off at Adorama)
- Asus Vivobook 16, AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 processor/16-inch 1920×1200 display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $759.99 ($70 off at Adorama)
- HP EliteBook x360, Intel Core i7-1365U processor/13.3-inch 1200p touchscreen display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $899.99 ($599.01 off at Adorama)
Newegg
- MSI Modern, AMD Ryzen 7 7730U processor/14-inch 1920×1080 display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $549.99 ($130 off at Newegg)
- Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3, AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS processor/15.3-inch 1920×1200 display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $649.99 ($250 off at Newegg)
- Acer Aspire Lite, Intel Core i7-1255U processor/15.6-inch 1920×1080 display/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $679.99 ($120 off at Newegg)
Best gaming laptop deals
Acer
Our top pick: Acer Nitro V, $819.99 ($230 off at Newegg)
The Acer Nitro V is a great pick if you want to game without dropping over a grand. It’s got a Core i7 and an RTX 4050, so it should handle most games smoothly at 1080p. There’s 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, which means fast loading and decent space. The 144Hz 1080p screen keeps things smooth, and the fans do a pretty good job keeping the heat under control during long sessions.
Amazon
- Asus ROG Strix G16, Intel Core i9-14900HX processor/RTX 4060 graphics/16-inch 2560×1600 display/16GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,567.39 ($132.06 off at Amazon)
Best Buy
- HP Victus, Intel Core i7-13620H processor/RTX 5060 graphics/15.6-inch 1920×1080 display/16GB RAM/1TB SSD, $999.99 ($370 off at Best Buy)
- Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX processor/RTX 5070 Ti graphics/14-inch 2880×1800 OLED display/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $2,049.99 ($350 off at Best Buy)
Adorama
- HP Omen Transcend 16, Intel Core i7-14700HX processor/RTX 4070 graphics/16-inch 1920×1200 display/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,899.99 ($120 off at Adorama)
- HP Omen Transcend, Intel Core i7-13700HX processor/RTX 4070 graphics/16-inch 2560×1600 display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $2,049.99 ($569.44 off at Adorama)
Newegg
- MSI Cyborg, Intel Core i7-13620H processor/RTX 4050 graphics/15.6-inch 1920×1080 display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $819.99 ($180 off at Newegg)
- Acer Nitro V, Intel Core i7-13620H processor/RTX 4050 graphics/15.6-inch 1920×1080 display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $819.99 ($230 off at Newegg)
Best premium laptop deals ($900+)
MSI
Our top pick: MSI Summit A16 AI+, $1,099.99 ($600 off at Newegg)
Honestly, the MSI Prestige A16 AI+ feels like the best deal here. It’s the same price as the Summit model ($1,099.99), but you’re getting a sharper 3840×2400 display instead of the lower resolution (2560×1600) one. That’s a pretty solid screen upgrade for no extra cost. And since both have the same processor, RAM, and storage, so why not grab the one with the better screen for the same price?
Amazon
- Apple MacBook Air, M4 chip/13.6-inch 2560×1664 display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $999 ($200 off at Amazon)
- Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024), Snapdragon X Elite processor/13.8-inch 2304×1536 display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $999.99 ($400 off at Amazon)
- Asus ZenBook 15 Pro OLED, Intel Core i7-13620H processor/15.6-inch 1920×1080 display/16GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,099.99 ($100 off at Amazon)
Best Buy
- Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1, Intel Core Ultra 7 processor/16-inch 1920×1200 touchscreen display/16GB RAM/1TB SSD, $919.99 ($230 off at Best Buy)
- Asus Vivobook Pro 15, Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor/15.6-inch 1920×1080 OLED display/24GB RAM/2TB SSD, $1,049.99 ($450 off at Best Buy)
Adorama
- Lenovo ThinkPad P16v Gen 1, AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 7840HS processor/16-inch 1920×1200 display/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,579.99 ($319.01 off at Adorama)
Newegg
- MSI Summit A16 AI+, AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor/16-inch 2560×1600 touchscreen display/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,099.99 ($600 off at Newegg)
- MSI Prestige A16 AI+, AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor/16-inch 3840×2400 display/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,099.99 ($600 off at Newegg)
- Asus Vivobook S 16 AI, AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor/15.6-inch 2880×1620 display/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,329 ($240 off at Newegg)
FAQ
How much RAM will I need in my laptop?
You’ll want at least 8GB, though 16GB is preferable, especially if you play games. Don’t buy laptops with under 4GB of RAM or 128GB of SSD storage—though on a Chromebook or a budget Windows machine, this configuration is acceptable. Check out our article on how much RAM does a laptop need for more in-depth info.
What’s the difference between a Chromebook and a Windows laptop?
The one big difference between a Chromebook and a Windows laptop is the operating system. Chromebooks run ChromeOS and Windows run, well, Microsoft Windows.
Chromebooks make good everyday machines because they’re designed for browsing the web, checking e-mail, and so on. They use less resources and are generally more affordable than the Windows variety. They also don’t need antivirus protection. A Windows laptop is a lot more versatile in what it can do, and not just in terms of running local programs. You can really pump a Windows laptop up with a ton of RAM, storage, and so on.
When should I look for a laptop deal?
You’ll likely find the best laptop deals during Prime Day (mid-July), Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving), and back-to-school season (June-August). Sure, you’ll find good laptop deals throughout the year, but if you really want to save big, we’d recommend scoping out your favorite online retailers during those times.
Which retailers offer the best deals?
You can find all kinds of deals across a wide range of online retailers such as Newegg, Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon, and so on. However, we’d recommend checking out deals from laptop manufacturers like Lenovo, HP, and Dell. You’ll usually find many different configurations on sale and the discounts can be pretty darn steep.
For more options, check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best laptops available right now.
